Small Wineries to Get Distribution Hub

A French wine body representing around 6,000 small wineries is to set up a storage and distribution hub dedicated to supplying multi-channel outlets throughout France an export markets.

The depot, set to open near Paris in 2011, is designed to give small growers greater independence, said the Confédération des Vignerons Indépendants (CVI)

“Low demand and falling prices has put many of our members in a vulnerable position and there is a pressing need to reorganise our offering,” CVI president Michel Issaly told just-drinks on Friday (7 May).

“Our aim is to have a more hands-on role in getting our product to market and developing a common brand which spans all the French AOC regions as well as covering vins de pays, sparkling wines and brandy,” he said.

CVI members will continue to work with wine traders, who absorb around 65 percent of their annual output of around 20mhl. Source: Wine & Spirits News